Dogs' owner cited in shooting

Dogs are often referred to as man's best friend, but sometimes, friends become enemies.

The residents of a neighborhood on Elaine Drive and Sarah Court in Sturgis have been suffering through both aspects.

On May 29, a pair of pit bulls owned by Erica Marchand of

69444 Elaine Drive, broke free from the backyard and made their way to the home of Brian Reed at

26230 Sarah Court. There, they were shot by Reed.

According to a police report obtained by the Sturgis Journal, the dogs had escaped from a fenced-in yard.

"Our female likes to dig," Marchand said. "I had my daughter check on them. When she said they were gone, we started to look for them and then we heard two shots."

One of the dogs was found dead about 100 yards away. The other made its way home. That dog was taken to the veterinarian, but died a couple days later, Marchand said.

"If they had been a

different type of dog, this never would have happened," she said.

Marchand said her dogs (both pit bulls) had gotten out a couple times, but had never attacked anyone or anything.

However, according to St. Joseph County Animal Control, there have been numerous complaints about the dogs running loose. Seven complaints were made by Reed.

One report was made in 2011 after three pit bulls attacked Reed's then 10-year-old golden labrador.

On the night of the shooting, Reed was inside his home when he heard the lab barking. She was in a chain-linked kennel about 20-feet from his back porch.

Reed said he opened the back door to see the two pit bulls pulling at the chain fence attempting to get at his dog.

He returned inside and grabbed a loaded shotgun.

According to the police report, Reed yelled at the two dogs and they charged at Reed.

Evidence recovered by police indicated that Reed shot the dogs when they were three to five feet away from him.

One neighbor who witnessed the incident told police, "They didn't look like they were trying to play with Reed's dog."

The neighbor went on to tell police that the dogs had been an ongoing problem and that animal control had been out several times.

Officers from animal control confirmed that they had been to the Elaine Drive address and that on May 3 of this year, a citation was issued.

Marchand said on several occasions they have asked Reed to meet the pit bulls and he said "no."

"I didn't need to meet them," Reed said. "I had met them in my yard when they were attacking my dog. I told them 'you need to come over and meet my grandchildren.'"

Page 2 of 2 - After the incident, police sent the case to be reviewed by the St. Joseph County prosecutor, which has issued a warrant request for Marchand for dog-at-large charges.

In an interview, Reed said that since the dogs are no longer a threat, neighbors are coming out of their homes and walking down the streets. The neighbor who gave police a statement said, "the dogs tend to come at you."

No charges are being sought against Reed. Under Michigan law, a person has the right to protect themselves, family members and personal property from a dangerous animal.